Water conservation tips for the nature-friendly

Jun 8, 2012, 8:17 a.m.

If you consider yourself a nature-friendly type and you're looking for ways to make a proactive environmental difference in your everyday life, there are quite a few water conservation ideas that you can adopt that just might make the world a better, wetter place. And the best part? You don't have to take drastic steps to achieve measurable water conservation at home. All you have to do is take a few extra steps.

Install new water fixtures throughout your home that help cut back on water waste. These days, you can buy low flow shower heads that channel the water in such a way as to use less water without sacrificing your comfort. You can also buy faucet fixtures that automatically shut off so the water doesn't stay running when you're brushing your teeth or lathering up to wash your hands.

If you've got an old home with old toilets, replace them and upgrade to low-flush models that use significantly less water with each flick of the handle.

Wait to run your dishwasher or clothes washer until you're ready to process a full load. Taking this step not only saves you from having to do double the work, it can also save you as many as a thousand gallons of water in a single month.

Look for leaks in your plumbing without having to climb under your house simply by keeping a close eye on your monthly water bill. If you've taken steps to cut back on water waste by implementing some beneficial water conservation ideas, but your bill is sky high, this could be a sign you have a leak somewhere. Call in a professional to plug it up.

If you water your lawn on a regular basis, do so only at night or early in the morning to limit the amount of evaporation that can occur during peak hours of daylight. This way, your lawn gets the full benefit of the water used and you'll end up having to water less often to keep your lawn healthy.

You don't have to sacrifice washing fruits and vegetables, but there are certain things you can do to ensure that when you do, you're not being wasteful. Try filling a large bowl with water and washing your fruits and veggies that way.

After you're done, you can make double use of the water by using it to water your house plants. If you don't mind putting your money where your mouth is, consider making the sacrifice of shortening your showers by a minute or two. While this may not seem like it would have much of an impact, this is one of the most effective methods of accomplishing water conservation at home. Shortening your daily showers by one to two minutes could save up to 150 gallons of water per month.

As you can see, there are plenty of water conservation ideas that you can employ on a daily basis that'll go a long way towards making the world a better place. Passing on these positive habits to your grandkids will also ensure that as they grow up, they'll feel empowered to make the kinds of conscientious choices that will create a much healthier environment for themselves and their own children.

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